Mobile retinal photography: A means of screening for diabetic retinopathy in Aboriginal communities

Abstract

These findings warrant further evaluation as to the benefits and cost effectiveness of mobile retinal photography.

Incidence of diabetic retinopathy in indigenous Australians within Central Australia: the Central Australian Ocular Health Study

“…These results highlight the need for good surveillance and service provision in a population where the prevalence of diabetes is very high and the logistics of screening are complex. Although clinical examination is desirable, screening using retinal photography may provide a method by which ophthalmic care might be delivered to remote communities 18,19 . The increased incidence of vision‐threatening DR among those with pre‐existing DR, highlights the importance of regular follow‐up for those with any level of DR.…”

“…Although clinical examination is desirable, screening using retinal photography may provide a method by which ophthalmic care might be delivered to remote communities. 18,19 The increased incidence of vision-threatening DR among those with pre-existing DR, highlights the importance of regular follow-up for those with any level of DR.…”

“…This included a clinical assessment of the posterior pole and the peripheral retina to estimate the presence and degree of DR using the Early Treatment of Diabetic Retinopathy Study adaptation of the modified Airlie House classification of DR 9 by clinical comparison with standard photographs. DR was graded as either no DR (levels 10-13), minimal non-proliferative DR (NPDR) (levels [14][15][16][17][18][19], mild NPDR (levels 20-39), moderate NPDR (levels 40-49), severe NPDR (levels 50-59) and proliferative DR (levels 60-85). Patients received a DR grading based on the status of the worse eye.…”

Retinal Photography Screening Programs to Prevent Vision Loss from Diabetic Retinopathy in Rural and Urban Australia: A Review

“…The projects were undertaken in a range of setting including urban populations, 6-11 rural and remote communities 3,7,8,12-14 and regional areas. 6,8,15 Locations included a pathology collection center, 10 Indigenous primary health care, 9 general practice, 8,11 prison, 12 mobile unit set up in the community, 3,6,7,12,14,16 Aboriginal community controlled organizations 12,13 and telemedicine. 15 Each study used retinal photography.…”

An evaluation of a telehealth-based specialist consultation service for Indigenous people living with diabetes in Queensland

“…Store-and-forward telehealth methods were mainly used for DR screening. Images were captured by a visual technician travelling to distant communities 80,81,83 , or a local Indigenous health worker trained in fundal photography [84][85][86] . Grading of ophthalmic images was done remotely (teleophthalmology) by an ophthalmologist at a different centre.…”